Today's blog is brought to you by the word remission and the number 13.
Sod that superstition nonsense, I've just had a cracking Friday the 13th.
Had always hoped - and in truth always expected - that I'd reach the point of remission, but it's still a fantastic feeling to hear the consultant say those magic words.
It's important to note what remission means, and what it doesn't mean.
The main thing is that it's not saying I'm cured. In fact Mantle Cell Lymphoma is non-cureable so that's not going to happen, at least until new drugs and research come through.
Here's a good definition I found online:
"A decrease in or disappearance of the signs or symptoms of cancer. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer may still be in the body."
So the six rounds of chemo did their thing and pretty much killed of the MCL.
A colonoscopy confirmed visually and via biopsies that this was the case in my large intestine, and today's CT Scan - my third - showed the same level of normality throughout the other 'hot spot' areas in my body.
Sadly this good news doesn't mean I can pack up and head home from the Western.
I need to complete the Stem Cell Transplant process to ensure that we get the longest possible remission period. It could make several years of difference to my overall prognosis.
That process is proving as mind-numbingly boring as I expected, if not worse.
I've been incredibly twitchy and on edge today. Not able to concentrate on anything for more than 5-10 mins. This blog will probably have taken me a couple of hours to complete, so I hope you appreciate the effort!
I've had the same cocktail of drugs as yesterday and probably a wee bit more sleep.
Managed most of a baked potato and tuna for lunch but the chilli con carne at tea time defeated me after a few forkfuls. And my snack snack remains untouched today.
Looks like a lovely evening outside my window. Would love to be out for a celebratory pint. But as I can't, if you are, then raise a wee glass to the cancer research community for me please.
A
